About Me
MEG BRAUN: "Tomboy Princess"
On a snowy winter night, stuck at home with the flu, Meg Braun recorded her first original tune – into her home answering machine – and a singer-songwriter was born. Not so many years later, the philosophy major from Toledo, Ohio, found a home hosting the open mic at the legendary C-Note in the creative cauldron of NYC’s East Village. Charged up by the gritty energy of the city, Meg composed the songs for her debut CD, Tomboy Princess. Tomboy Princess is rich in truth. Meg uses the language of fables and folk tales to illuminate the modern world. Contributing talents to the project are Greg Greenway, Kevin So, Tom Prasada-Rao, Penny Nichols, bassist Freebo, slide guitarist Pat Wictor, percussionist Cheryl Prashker, and all three members of Red Molly.
AMY SPEACE: "The Killer In Me"
Amy Speace uses phrases like "it was kind of an exorcism" and "I spilled blood all over this project" to describe her sophomore album on Wildflower Records titled 'The Killer In Me.' The New York-based singer/songwriter forges into deep, dark lyrical and musical terrain, borne largely out of the dissolution of her 10-year marriage. Speace wrote the songs on 'Killer' during a period self-imposed isolation in a rural cabin in the Catskills- a cathartic experience that helped her cope with her marital separation. The rural setting, Speace explains, "forced me to sit with a lot of silence, fear and confusion and make a kind of peace with them by writing songs to keep from going crazy. Musically, Amy Speace embraces the lyric-focused emotions of folk music, but breaks the genre's mold with bellowing horns and organ and twangy electric guitars.
TERRY KITCHEN: "Summer To Snowflakes"
Boston contemporary folk singer/songwriter terry kitchen’s new CD is an intimate and personal document that nonetheless reflects universal feelings, archetypal stories, and up to the minute world events. From the gentle guitar arpeggios that open “Listening to Summer†to the graceful piano that closes “Snowflakes,†the CD is full of detailed, poignant songwriting, understated vocals, and evocative arrangements based around Kitchen’s nuanced guitar playing. "Summer To Snowflakes" is Kitchen’s 9th CD, following 2007’s heaven here on earth. His songs have won the USA and Mid-Atlantic Song Contests and been runner up in the John Lennon Song Contest, and he’s performed at coffeehouses and festivals across the US.
LIZ MITCHELL: "Not The Whether Of Summer"
Liz Mitchell is a Boston based singer songwriter, who is also an attending emergency physician at Boston Medical Center, the area’s busiest trauma center. She has just released her debut CD on Riverwide Records. Recorded live in the studio across four days, "the whether of summer" finds Liz Mitchell melding the world of the contemporary singer/songwriter with the abstract, sometimes angular text of an ee cummings, questioning the relationships between faith, love, the weather and dogs with a voice and melodic sense straight from the heart of traditional folk music. Says producer, Tom Eaton: “It was a record I couldn’t pass on making. An ER doc with a classic voice, great piano chops and an understanding of life and humanity that most songwriters would give their eye-teeth for. And a sense of humor. So we made it. I found the players, sent them mysterious charts, and then we cut all the basic tracks, including the lead vocals, live in the studio in trio or quartet sessions. We kept it acoustic, and let it breathe. I rarely get to make records like this, with everyone in the same room, in the same moment, chasing songs that retain some mystery even when they’re done. It’s a debut some 20 years in the making, and I’m so glad I got to help it find the light of day.â€
LORETTA HAGEN: "Sundown Till Dawn"
Since the early nineties, NJ based singer songwriter Loretta Hagen has been writing and recording music that earns rave reviews for her rich vocals and poignant songwriting. With her big alto voice, she blends folk, country, rock, and blues and is often compared to artists such as Mary Chapin Carpenter, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt and Kathy Mattea. Loretta’s songs cover a wide range of subject matter filled with raw emotion, inspiration and hope. The title song from Loretta Hagen’s CD, “Sundown Till Dawn†is her most personal recording to date. After her Mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease six years ago, Loretta and her family became her caregivers. Loretta’s song paints a clear picture of how her Mom has suffered, describing a typical day in her life. “Sundown Till Dawn†was produced by Nashville based producer Dan Drilling, Loretta Hagen and Gary Hagen and follows Loretta’s critically acclaimed CD Something More, co produced by Pat McInerney (Nanci Griffith), recorded in Nashville TN.
FRED SMITH: "Texas"
Australian songwriter Fred Smith moved to Washington DC in November 2004 and spent the next four years touring the US performing under his birth name Iain Campbell Smith. He recently returned to his homeland to release the CD Texas, a collection of 12 songs about the America he saw. The Sydney Morning Herald described the CD as “a wonderful, quirky and irreverent look at the United States and its idiosyncrasies… He has a love–hate relationship with America, which he has neatly coupled to a wry and profound understanding of that complex society.†Texas captures the zeitgeist of America in the second term of the Bush administration. It touches on subjects from Barak to Iraq with the insight, balance and irony that have made Smith one of Australia’s most respected singer songwriters. Smith’s natural melodic and lyrical style, reflect his early immersion in the albums of the North American songsmiths, particularly Paul Simon and Leonard Cohen. Underpinning most of his songs though are gentle fingerpicked guitar figures that reflect his love of the great blues picker Mississippi John Hurt.
JAMES O'MALLEY: "Tales To Tell"
“Tales to Tell†is the latest CD by New York singer/songwriter James O’Malley. His third release is a collection of twelve songs in the lyrical acoustic style that has made James a favorite of the Northeast folk music community. James accompanies himself on acoustic guitar on all of the selections and is complemented by a small ensemble of musicians who add a sensitive embellishment to James’ story songs and captivating lyrics. From the opening chords of the lively “Is That The Sun?†to the sing along chorus of “Song for Pete Seeger†that open the CD, “Tales To Tell†offers the most memorable collection of James O’Malley tunes to date. “Tales to Tell†was produced by Joe Porcelli & James O’Malley for Arts & Media, Inc., recorded and mastered at Morningstar Studios in Ambler, PA.
MARA LEVINE: "Mara's Gems"
I have titled this compilation “Mara’s Gems†to represent what I feel are some of the many Gems of folk music. Some songs are fairly well established in the collective consciousness of the folk community and other Gems are much more obscure but deserve to be heard by a wider audience. I also wanted to share some of my favorite gemstone jewelry designs, which have their own harmony. My jewelry business has sustained me over the last eight years and has allowed me to perform, record, and share this wonderful music with others. 10 of the 12 songs were produced and recorded by Manny Krevat in Cary, North Carolina, who played multiple instruments, North Carolina musicians Mel Walters, Jim Amsden, and Tom Garren contributed. Pat Wictor and Cheryl Prashker contributed to “If I were a Carpenterâ€, Dan Gaus on “Leaving the Land.†“Wild Rose of the Mountain†was recorded and produced by Bob Harris, who also handled post production and mastering of the CD. Musicians included Bob Harris, (Johnny Cash, Vassar Clements, Girlyman), Gary Oleyar(of Loggins and Messina), Spook Handy and Marie Elena.
FOLK RADIO PROMOTION
DJ says: "You are doing such a great job with Hudson Harding Music - every artist is top notch. Congrats!" - Chris McGill, WSPN (Saratoga Springs, NY)
DJ says: With the mass of music that flows through the station, it is always relieving to have a name that one can trust will be sending out quality music, and Hudson Harding is building that reputation. - Becca Derry, WOBC (Oberlin, OH)
Client says: "Hudson Harding Music did an outstanding job promoting my last two CDs to radio. Both of them reached 4 on the FolkDJ charts, and received consistent airplay afterwards. I am grateful for all their timely hard work, professionalism, and creative energy. Hudson Harding has helped me reach a lot more people with my music!" - Pat Wictor, roots Americana artist, lap slide guitarist
Client says: "Entrusting my radio promotion to Hudson Harding Music was the best decision I've made in the last year. Their thoroughness, knowledge, creativity in pitching his clients, and commitment to both good music and good business make them a pleasure to work with." - Zoe Mulford, Azalea City Recordings
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Results?
Pat Wictor: Sunset Waltz
- No. 2 album on FolkDJ for May 2008
- Nomination for Best New Artist, Folk Alliance Awards 2007
Dana & Susan Robinson: 'Round My Door
- No. 1 single and No 3. album on FolkDJ for April 2008
Terence Martin: Even Trade
- No. 3 single, "Who's Breathing All the Air," on FolkDJ for April 2008
Hudson Harding Sampler, Volumes 1 & 2
- No. 1 album on FolkDJ (December 2006 and 2007)
- A dozen songs in the top 20 on FolkDJ
Amy Speace: Songs For Bright Street
- Nomination for Best New Artist, Folk Alliance Awards 2007
- No. 8 album on FolkDJ for "Songs From Bright Street" (June 2006)
- No. 6 song on FolkDJ for "Row Row Row" (June 2006)
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Represtenting
MEG BRAUN: Tomboy Princess ||
AMY SPEACE: The Killer In Me ||
TERRY KITCHEN: Summer To Snowflakes ||
LIZ MITCHELL: Not The Whether Of Summer ||
LORETTA HAGEN: Sundown Till Dawn ||
FRED SMITH: Texas ||
JAMES O'MALLEY: Tales To Tell ||
MARA LEVINE: Mara's Gems ||
CHERYL BRANZ: The Christmas Gift ||
MUSIC TO LIFE: 2008/2009 Showcase ||
ADAM MICHAEL ROTHBERG: Another Spin ||
Rj COWDERY: One More Door ||
JENEE HALSTEAD: The River Grace ||
TOM KIMMEL: Never Saw Blue ||
EMILY KURN: I'm Just Like You ||
PHIL MINISSALE: Home To Me ||
ROBBY HECHT: Late Last Night ||
DENISE JORDAN FINLEY: Hauntress ||
ELLEN BUKSTEL: Daddy's Little Girl ||
SUSAN KANE: Highway Bouquet ||
MISSION STREET PROJECT: Make Levees ||
MATT PRICE: Cure For The Blues ||
GREG KLYMA: Rust Belt Vagabond ||
LINDA SHARAR: Everyday ||
ABBIE GARDNER & ANTHONY da COSTA: Bad Nights / Better Days ||
PAT WICTOR: Sunset Waltz ||
TERENCE MARTIN: Even Trade ||
DANA & SUSAN ROBINSON: 'Round My Door ||
SARAH SAMPLE : Never Close Enough ||
DAVID GLASER : Cars & Lovers ||
JANET BATES: For All Of His Wealth ||
STEPHANIE CORBY: More To Show You ||
ALLISON DOWNEY & JOHN AUSTIN: Across The Sea ||
STEVE EULBERG: a piece of it all ||
NOEL PAUL STOOKEY: Facets ||
WE'RE ABOUT 9: Stardust::Paperdust ||
RANDALL WILLIAMS: Praying for Land ||
BROOKS WILLIAMS: The Time I Spend With You ||
JAMES MOORS: Hush ||
BONNIE LEE PANDA: Magical Winter Day ||
GYPSY SOUL: Beneath the Covers ||
SPOOK HANDY: Whatcha Gonna Do? ||
CHRISTOPHER SMITH: Gravedigger's Boy ||
STEVE CHIZMADIA: It Is What It Is ||
SUSAN LEVINE: Atlas ||
ARLON BENNETT:Summer's Voice ||
BRAD COLERICK: Lines in the Dirt ||
EMILY KURN: Things Change ||
LISA MARKLEY: The Sky is Blue and Sometimes Cries ||
JUD CASWELL: Blackberry Time ||
LEA: Great Big World ||
SIOBHAN QUINN & MICHAEL BOWERS: Dreamers, Lovers & Outlaws ||
WORK O' THE WEAVERS: We're Still Here ||
RANDALL WILLIAMS: One Night In Louisiana ||
SCOTT & MICHELLE DALZIEL: Thinking Out Loud ||
HOPE MACHINE: March ||
CHUCK E. COSTA: Where The Songs Come From ||
AZALEA CITY RECORDINGS: Sampler 2 ||
DAVE CROSSLAND: Pearl ||
IAIN CAMPBELL SMITH: Ballads & Barsongs ||
BERNICE LEWIS: She Undoes ||
BONNIE LEE PANDA: Live ||
CHRIS ROSSER: Hidden Everywhere ||
JAMES DURST: Internationally Unknown ||
GREG GREENWAY: Weightless ||
PAT WICTOR: Heaven is so High ||
AMY SPEACE: Songs for Bright Street ||
TENA MOYER: Shining Through ||
MARY SUE TWOHY: Songs to Hang on Stars ||
BRAD COLERICK: Cottonwood ||
ZOE MULFORD: Roadside Saints ||
FREEBO: Before the Separation ||
MARC DOUGLAS BERARDO: Harbor ||
CARY COOPER: Yellow ||
THE DREAMSICLES: Luv Songs for Grownups
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HUDSON HARDING MUSIC
PO Box 22417
Philadelphia, PA 19110